Lightweight unitary display

ABSTRACT

A lightweight display includes a plurality of display modules having a plurality of pixels carried by a display mounting frame. A support frame integral with the display mounting frame provides support. An electronic support member carries electrical components electrically communicating with the plurality of display modules for controlling the display of an image. Wherein the depth of the plurality of display modules, display mounting frame, support frame and electronic support member is less than four inches when defining a display assembly. Also wherein the display assembly has a screen size measured diagonally in a range of 114 inches to 224 inches and a weight in the range of 90 pounds to 120 pounds and wherein the display assembly has an aspect ratio ranging from 1.67 to 1.82.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This continuation utility application claims the benefit of U.S.non-provisional utility application Ser. No. 17/333,594 filed on May 28,2021. Application Ser. No. 17/333,594 claims priority and is acontinuation of U.S. non-provisional utility application Ser. No.16/872,523 filed on May 12, 2020. application Ser. No. 16/872,523 claimspriority to and is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/404,398filed on May 6, 2019. Application Ser. No. 16/404,398 claims priority toand is a continuation of application Ser. No. 15/256,049 filed on Sep.2, 2016. Application No. claimed priority to and is a continuation ofutility application Ser. No. 14/712,272 filed on May 14, 2015.Application Ser. No. 14/712,272 is a continuation of and claimedpriority to utility application Ser. No. 13/231,950, filed on Sep. 13,2011. Application Ser. No. 13/231,950 is a continuation-in-part of andclaimed priority to utility application Ser. No. 12/348,158, filed onJan. 2, 2009. Application Ser. No. 12/348,158 claimed priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/019,144 filed on Jan. 4, 2008.Application Ser. Nos. 16/872,523, 16/404,398, 15/256,049, 14/712,272,13/231,950, 12/348,158, and 61/019,144 are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to display devices. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a modular display assembly having easilyaccessible and removable panels of pixel assemblies positioned along atrue plane for providing a lightweight, mobile display which reducesoff-axis distortion.

BACKGROUND

The electronic signage industry incorporates a wide range of designconfigurations. Each sign utilizes some aspect of lighting incorporatedinto a frame housing and typically is constructed for is intendedenvironment. For instance certain designs include outdoor billboards andsignage utilized in stadiums. These designs are primarily constructed tobe very heavy and secure and to project large images without necessarilytaking into consideration certain attributes of the projected image suchas off-axis viewing. Presently, large scale displays tend to be heavy,expensive, not easily transported and set up, and power hungry.

For interior purposes it is known to utilize typically square moduleshaving LED's and the like which are stacked in various configurations tocreate the desired design. Such modules are provide by Daktronics ofSouth Dakota and identified as mobile and modular products atww.daktronics.com/productsservices/products/video/mobilemodular/pages/default.asp.While suitable for their intended purpose and portable, these modulesare intended for use at concerts, auto shows, or sporting events and arelarge.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,444 entitled Electronic Sign having a formed metalcabinet and assigned to Daktronics identifies a metal cabinet forhousing a plurality of modules wherein the cabinet and associatedsupport structure for the modules may be rapidly assembled. Suchconstruction also provides for rear access enabling the light modules tobe accessed from the rear should maintenance and the like be required.Furthermore, this patent discloses that the respective display modulesare attached to a mounting panel as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,271entitled Electronic Display Module having a Four-Point Latching Systemfor Incorporation Into an Electronic Sign and Process. This latchingsystem includes a four-point latching system having gears and actuatingarms to position latch arms outwardly over a mounting panel assemblyfollowed by a pivotal latch positioning to rotationally engage thelatching arms against the mounting panel assembly to secure the displaymodule to the mounting panel assembly. Such a latching system would benecessary for large scale systems or for hostile ambient environments.However, such a construction does not lend itself to a light weight, ormobile display suitable for indoor purposes. Additionally the cabinetsare intended to be matched with other such cabinets in a modular fashionfor creating an overall display comprised of multiple cabinets. Suchconstruction of multiple cabinets is incapable of providing a flatplanar construction in all planes thereby minimizing distortion ofoff-axis viewing.

Accordingly, there is a need for a lightweight design which is easy toassemble and is mobile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A lightweight display includes a plurality of display modules having aplurality of pixels carried by a display mounting frame. A support frameintegral with the display mounting frame provides support. An electronicsupport member carries electrical components electrically communicatingwith the plurality of display modules for controlling the display of animage. Wherein the depth of the plurality of display modules, displaymounting frame, support frame and electronic support member is less thanfour inches when defining a display assembly. Also wherein the displayassembly has a screen size measured diagonally in a range of 114 inchesto 224 inches and a weight in the range of 90 pounds to 120 pounds andwherein the display assembly has an aspect ratio ranging from 1.67 to1.82.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a flexible display in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the display of FIG. 1along cut line 2-2.

FIGS. 3A-3B show a side view of a flexible chixel display in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a chixel in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 shows a flexible display which incorporates square-shaped chixelsin accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a flexible display which incorporates square-shaped chixelsof FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 shows an elongated chixel in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 8 shows a flexible display incorporating the elongated chixels ofFIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 shows a chixel-based display in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged portion of the chixel-based arrangement ofFIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 shows an LED wafer in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the wafer of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13 shows an LED stack of the wafer of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 14 shows a side view of an LED of a chixel in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 shows a top view of the LED of FIG. 14 .

FIG. 16 shows a white light emitting LED of a chixel in accordance withone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 shows an alternative embodiment of a chixel LED.

FIG. 18A shows a top view of an LED wafer in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18B shows an enlarged portion of the LED wafer of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 19 shows a chixel separated from the LED wafer of FIG. 18A inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 shows the chixel of FIG. 19 incorporated into a display.

FIG. 21 shows an enlarged portion of the display of FIG. 20 .

FIG. 22 shows a display substrate in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 23 shows a side view of a chixel-based display.

FIG. 24 shows a flexible chixel-based display in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 25 shows a flexible chixel-based display having dedicatedcontrollers for each chixel.

FIG. 26 shows a chixel and filter arrangement for a chixel-based displayin accordance with an one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 27 a chixel-based display incorporating the chixel and filter ofFIG. 26 .

FIG. 28 shows one embodiment of a chixel having additional edge lightemitters.

FIG. 29 shows a color flexible chixel-based display incorporating thechixel of FIG. 28 .

FIG. 30 shows an enlarged portion of the display of FIG. 29 .

FIG. 31 shows one embodiment of filter pattern.

FIG. 32 shows one chixel and filter arrangement.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a light weight electronic signaccording to an additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a front exploded assembly view of an electronic signaccording to an additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a view illustrating the various display modules for a kitassembly for manufacturing an electronic sign according to an additionalembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a view illustrating two display modules of the same pitchadjacent to one another illustrating the pixel gap according to anadditional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a rear view of a display module according to an additionalembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is an exploded rear view of a light weight sign illustrating theassembly of components.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of the framecomponents of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the mating relationshipsof the components of the electronic sign of an additional embodiment ofthe present invention from a top-down view.

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional illustrating the mating relationships ofthe components of the electronic sign of an additional embodiment of thepresent invention from a side view.

FIGS. 42 and 42A illustrate the mounting system of an additionalembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 43 is an exploded view of an electronic sign having an alternativedisplay configuration according to an additional embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, exemplary embodiments of the present invention aredisclosed herein. These embodiments are meant to be examples of variousways of implementing the invention and it will be understood that theinvention may be embodied in alternative forms. The figures are not toscale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show detailsof particular elements, while related elements may have been eliminatedto prevent obscuring novel aspects. Therefore, specific structural andfunctional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted aslimiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representativebasis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ thepresent invention.

For purposes of teaching and not limitation, the exemplary embodimentsdisclosed herein are discussed mainly in the context of LED lightemitter technologies. However, the present invention is applicable toother light emitting technologies as well, such as, by way of exampleand not limitation, backlit LCDs, electroluminescence, or plasma tubesor cells.

Turning to the figures where like elements have like reference numbersthroughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of aflexible display 100. As shown in FIG. 2 , the flexible display 100 iscomprised of a plurality of pixel chips 202, referred to herein aschixels 202, that are arranged in a chixel arrangement 200. The chixels202 may be rigid self-contained components that include a plurality ofpixels 204, formed of subpixels 206. The chixels 202 are of asufficiently small size and attached to a flexible display substrate 208in such a manner that the space between the chixels, referred to hereinas a chixel gap 304, allows the flexible display substrate 208 to have abending radius to provide a desired flexibility to the display 100.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, chixels 202 are provided on a flexibledisplay substrate 208 with a chixel gap 304 of a size so that the sideedges of the chixels are parallel when the substrate 208 is flat. Asshown in FIG. 3B, as the substrate 208 flexes, the chixels 202 move atangles with respect to one another due to the bending of the substrate208 at the chixel gaps 304. Although shown as square chixels 202 withsharp upper corners, the chixels 202 could have rounded corners or othershapes to prevent contact between adjacent chixels 202 during bending ofthe substrate 208. Furthermore, the chixels 202 could be shaped so as tolimit or prevent flexing of the substrate in a particular direction. Forexample, the chixels could have extensions (not shown) that contact eachother to limit movement when the display is flexed in a particulardirection. The size of the chixels and spacing between the chixels couldalso be varied to provide desired flexibility. For example, smallerchixels could be used on portions of the display which require moreflexibility and larger chixels used on portions with lower flexibilityrequirements.

The chixels 202 are of a predetermined shape and arranged in a desiredpattern on a flexible substrate 208 to form a flexible display 100. Thesize, shape, and arrangement of the chixels 202 may be selected toprovide a desired bend radius to the flexible substrate 208 to which thechixels 202 are incorporated.

As shown in an exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4 , a chixel 202 may begenerally square in shape. For example, the chixel may comprise a 4 by 4array of 16 pixels 204, each pixel having three subpixels 206. As shownin FIG. 5 , this square shape allows a chixel-based display 500 in whichthe chixels 206 are incorporated to flex easily both horizontally andvertically between the chixels 202 as the ratio of vertical andhorizontal chixels gaps 304 is the same. FIG. 6 shows a chixel displayhaving chixels 202 on a flexible substrate with sufficient bend radiusto be rolled up into a tube.

Chixels 202 may be provided in other shapes and arranged to provide achixel gap 304 of an appropriate size to provide the display 100 with adesired amount of flexibility. Generally, the smaller the chixel 202,the greater the number of chixel gaps 304 in the display in which thechixels are incorporated and the greater the number of bending pointsthat can be provided and, therefore, the greater the flexibility of thedisplay. For example, if it is desirable to provide a greater amount offlexibility in one direction of the substrate than another then thechixels can be shaped to provide such flexibility by arranging a largernumber of flexible gaps in the one direction than the other.

The chixel 702 shown in FIG. 7 includes a 4 by 8 pixel arrangement. Asshown in FIG. 8 , this allows for greater lateral bending because thereare approximately twice as many vertical bending points 804 in thedisplay than horizontal bending 806 points. Although the smaller thechixel, the greater the number of chixel gaps and the greater theflexibility of the display, the fewer the number of pixels that can beprovided on the chixel and/or the smaller the pixels. Thus, while havingsmaller chixels increases flexibility, having larger chixels increasesthe size and/or number of pixels that can be provided on each chixel anddecreases the number of chixels that must be attached to the flexiblesubstrate. Thus, smaller chixels could be used in areas of the displaywith higher flexibility requirements.

As shown in FIG. 4 , a chixel 202 may include pixels 204 that arecomprised of subpixels 206. The subpixels 206 may have differentproperties in order to provide desired properties for the pixel 204 ofwhich they form a part. For example, the pixels 204 may comprise red206A, green 206B, and blue 206C subpixels that together form an RGBpixel. The intensity of the individual subpixels 206A, 206B, 206B can bemanipulated to provide light having desired characteristics, such as adesired light color or brightness. The subpixels 206 may have arectangular shape so that together they form a square-shaped pixel 204.The pixels 204 may be provided in a 4 times 4 array on a rigid substrate220 to form a chixel of about 4 mm. The substrate 220 may be transparentto allow light emission through the substrate. For example, thesubstrate may be rigid glass or sapphire as discussed in more detailbelow. The pixels 204 may be provided at a distance apart from oneanother, the distance referred to as a “pixel gap” 304. In an exemplaryembodiment of a chixel, a plurality of light emitters is provided on arigid substrate and serves as subpixels of a display. The subpixels maybe divided into groupings, such as groupings of three subpixels, to formpixels. For example, subpixels that emit red, green and blue light maybe grouped together to form an RGB pixel. Other arrangements, such as byway of example and not limitation, include a monocolor display in whichall subpixels or pixels emit the same color light. Additionally, thelight emitted by the pixels or subpixels may be converted or filtered toprovide the desired light output; for example, the pixels could beformed of blue LEDs that are filtered or are color converted andfiltered.

The subpixels may be of rectangular shape so that when combined withother subpixels they form a square pixel. The pixels may be arranged onthe substrate such that the space between adjacent pixels, referred toherein as a “pixel gap,” is of a desired distance dl. Because there areno pixels to produce light at the pixel gap, the gap may appear as adarkened area of a display, referred to as a “pixel gap line.”Similarly, the subpixels may be uniformly spaced so that space betweensubpixels, the “subpixel gap”, is of a desired size.

In one aspect of the invention, the pixels are of a size relative to thepixel gap to make the pixel gap line less noticeable to a viewer. Forexample, the pixels may be of a size relative to the size of the pixelgap so as to provide a display of a desired resolution in which thepixel gap is not as pronounced or distracting to the viewer. Thisrelationship and sizing may depend on a number of factors, including,but not limited to, viewing distance, contrast ratio, brightness, andviewing environment.

The size of the pixel gap 304 may vary depending upon the particularlight emitting technology used for the subpixel 206. For example, somelight emitters may require conductors that extend around the edge of theemitter, which prevents the light emitters from directly abutting eachother, thereby resulting in large subpixel and pixel gaps. For example,Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDS) generally require that current beprovided through the front of the display and a contact is commonlyarranged to extend around the edge of the OLED, thereby preventing OLEDsfrom being tightly packed in a display.

One problem with prior art displays is that the pixel gap 304 is of suchsize that gap lines are visible in the resulting display which isdistracting to a viewer and renders an image of poorer quality. This ledto prior art attempts to provide front conductors for the pixels. Thisfront conductor approach raises additional problems in producingflexible displays, however, due to the limited flexibility and highresistance values of known transparent front electrodes.

In one aspect of the present invention, the pixels 204 are sizedrelative to the pixel gap 306 between the pixels 204 such that the pixelgap 306 is less noticeable to an observer. For example, in a prior artOLED device the gaps between pixels that are required for the wraparoundelectrodes can result in a pixel gap to pixel area ratio that is readilynoticeable to a viewer of the display.

In the present invention, pixels 204 are sized relative to the pixel gap306 so that the gap line is less noticeable while still providing adesired resolution. One advantage of the present invention is that if a4 mm chixel 202 which includes 16 pixels in a 4 by 4 array is used toprovide the pixels for the display, the number of operations to providethe pixels 204 to the display is 1/16 of that of a technique thatattempts to attach individual pixels to a display because multiplepixels are added with a single chixel. As discussed in more detailbelow, minimizing the effect of the gap line allows for the use ofmanufacturing techniques and resulting structures that were previouslyavoided due to concerns over gap lines. For example, by adjusting thepixel size to the pixel gap to minimize the effect of a gap line allowsfor electrodes to extend around the side of a pixel and allow a displayto be driven at the rear, thereby eliminating some of the problems withprior art devices that are front driven.

As shown in FIG. 9 , chixels 202 may be coupled to a flexible displaysubstrate 208 by an adhesive or other coupling means. The pixels 204 canbe arranged on the chixel 202 with uniform pixel spacing of a pitch orpixel gap d2. The chixels 202 can be arranged on the flexible displaysubstrate 208, to maintain the uniform pixel gap 304 d2 between adjacentchixels 202A, 202B. For example, the pixels 202 may be located near theedges 910A-B of the chixels 202 and adjacent chixels 202A-B arranged sothat the pixel gap 306 is uniform between pixels 204 even acrossadjacent chixels 202A, 202B. As discussed above, the chixel gap 304between the chixels 202 provides a desired bend radius to the flexiblesubstrate 208 that allows the display 100 to flex. Thus, a uniform pixelgap and a desired flexibility can be obtained; in other words the pixelpitch is consistent in both the rows and columns, even between pixels onthe edges of two adjacent chixels. In one exemplary embodiment the pixelgap may be 320 micron, the chixel gap 320 micron and the pixel size 1600micron.

As discussed in more detail below, the flexible substrate 208 maycomprise a variety of layers, such as by way of example and notlimitation, a contrast layer, a diffusion layer, a filter layer, and ananti-reflection layer. Each of these layers may be of a flexible plastictype. Thus, even though the chixels 202 themselves may be rigid, asufficient number of chixel gaps 304 are provided in an appropriatearrangement that a desired bend radius of the flexible substrate 208 isobtained.

Chixels 202 may employ different light emitting technologies, such asLED, electroluminescence, plasma tubes or cells, and backlit LCD. FIGS.11 and 12 show an exemplary method of manufacturing an LED-based chixel.An LED is formed by depositing an n-doped semiconductor and a p-dopedsemiconductor layer on a substrate. Light is formed at the p-n junctionwhen it is excited by electrical current. As shown in FIG. 11 an LEDwafer 1100 may be produced that includes a plurality of spaced apart LEDstacks 1104 that, as discussed in more detail below, may serve as lightemitters for a flexible display. As shown in FIG. 12 the LED wafer 1100may comprise a rigid substrate 1102 having a plurality of LED stacks1104 thereon. For example, as shown in FIG. 13 an LED stack 1104 mayinclude a p-doped layer 1106 and an n-doped layer 1108 that are providedatop a sapphire substrate 1102 and have the appropriate properties toemit light when supplied with an appropriate charge (current). Varioustechniques can be used to create the LED stacks with great accuracy.Portions of the layers 1106, 1108 may be removed to create separate LEDstacks on the rigid substrate separated from one another by a gap 1110that generally corresponds to a subpixel or pixel gap of a completeddisplay. For example, a mask may be applied and etching techniques usedto etch channels through the upper layers 1106, 1108 down to thesubstrate to produce stacks that share a common substrate 1102. In anexemplary embodiment LED stacks may be generally square having a lengthof about 320 .mu.m and a width of about 320 .mu.m and a gap between theLED stacks 1104 of about 50 .mu.m. Applicant has found that a layer ofn-GaN of about 0.2 .mu.m thickness and a p-GaN layer of about a 0.2.mu.m thickness on a sapphire substrate of a thickness of about 350.mu.m can be used to produce LEDs that emit blue light having awavelength of about 450 nm. Different layers may be used or additionallayers added to the LED stacks to obtain LEDs that emit light withdesired characteristics. Furthermore, as discussed in more detail below,filters, photoconverters, and other apparatus may be used to manipulatethe light emitted from the LEDs.

In order to make the LED stacks 1104 into workable LEDs, a p-contact1120 and an n-contact 1122 may be provided to the stacks 1104 as shownin FIG. 14 to form an LED 1400. The p-contact 1120 may be provided in acutout area 1130 of the p-doped layer 1108. For example, an etchingprocess may be used to remove a portion of the p-doped layer to allowthe n-contact 1122 to be placed directly on top of the n-doped layer1106. This allows the p-contact to be placed directly atop of then-doped layer 1106 and conductors 1140 to extend upward from the LED toa rear mounted display driver when the LEDs are incorporated into adisplay. This obviates the need of providing a large space between thelight emitters for providing a pathway for conductors running along theedge and side of the light emitter and thereby allows the LEDs to betightly packed. The wafer may be processed by etching, ablation, orother known techniques to form LEDs of various shapes, such as the LED1700 shown in FIG. 17 and arranged in a desired arrangement.

Additional layers can also be added to the LEDs 1400. For example, asshown in an exemplary LED 1600 in FIG. 16 a luminescent phosphor layer1610, typically a powder phosphor formulated based on the light outputof the LED to provide the best conversion, may be provided for colorconversion, to convert the emitted blue light to white. The colorconversion layer 1610 may be added by known techniques. As shown inFIGS. 14 and 16 when an appropriate current is applied, light istransmitted downwardly from the LED 1400, 1600. Thus, in theseembodiments the substrate 1102 is transmissive.

The wafer 1100 may include different layers on different LED stacks toprovide different light characteristics. For example, different layerscould be used to produce red, blue, and green light from different LEDstacks 1104. The wafer 1100 could also be made of uniform LED stacks1104 having the same or similar properties. For example, the LED stacks1104 could be constructed to emit white light or blue light which couldthen be filtered to produce light with desired characteristics. In theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 14 in which GaN layers are used, bluelight is emitted. Filters may also be used to provide red, green andblue LEDs which could define red, green and blue subpixels of an RGBpixel display. As seen in FIG. 16 a white phosphor photoconversion layer1610 can be applied so that the light emitted from the LED 1600 is whitewhich is more efficiently filtered than blue light.

As shown in FIGS. 18A-B an LED wafer 1800 may include an array ofuniformly spaced rectangular-shaped LEDs 1802. The LEDs 1802 definesubpixels 1803 that may be incorporated into a flexible display. Thesubpixels 1803 are spaced apart a horizontal distance hi that forms asubpixel gap 1808. A group of LEDs, such as three LEDs, may be used todefine an addressable pixel 1804 for a display. A larger array of LEDsmay define a chixel 1806 which may include multiple subpixels andpixels. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 19 the chixel 1806includes 8 rows of 12 LEDs which define 96 subpixels and 32 three-LEDpixels 1804 of the chixel 1806 to provide a 4.times.8 pixel arrangement.Commands/instructions from a driver may be directed to the LEDs of thepixel grouping to manipulate the individual LEDs 1802 as subpixels sothat the overall light produced by the pixel 1804 is of desiredcharacteristics, such as a desired color and brightness.

Multiple chixels 1806 may be coupled to a flexible substrate 208 to forma flexible display 2000. For example, as shown in FIG. 20 chixels 1806may be coupled to a flexible substrate 208 in an arrangement 2202. Thearrangement of the subpixels 1803 on the individual chixel 1806 inconjunction with the arrangement of the chixels 1806 on the substrate208 may be such as to provide uniform LED spacing and hence uniformsubpixel and pixel spacing across the display 100. In addition, thepixel gap 306 may be uniform across the display and may be set equal tothe pixel gap 308. By providing the subpixels 1802 about the edge of thechixel 1806, and removing a predetermined amount of the substrate 208 inthe dicing process, the chixel gap 304 may be such that the pixel gap306 between pixels on adjacent chixels 202 is the same as the pixel gapbetween pixels on the same chixel and the pixel gap is equal to thesubpixel gap. This provides for a uniform display with minimal gaplines. While discussed primarily in terms of the lateral spacing of thesubpixels, pixels, and chixels, the same principles apply to the spacingof the subpixels, pixels, and chixels in other directions, such as thevertical gaps.

The size of the pixels 1804 can be varied depending upon the desiredresolution and use of the display. For example, the size of thesubpixels and pixels 1804 within a chixel 1806 incorporated into adisplay intended for use at a viewing distance of 10 feet may be smallerthan a display meant to be used at a viewing distance of 100 feet, eventhough the displays have the same resolution.

As discussed above, the chixels 202 may be coupled to a flexiblesubstrate 208 to form a flexible display 100. In addition to providingsupport to the chixels 202 the substrate 208 may also provide additionalfunctions, such as filtering, light diffusion, contrast enhancement,etc., and may be comprised of multiple layers. An exemplary flexiblesubstrate 2200 shown in FIG. 22 comprises a diffusion layer 2202, acontrast enhancement layer 2204, and an outer protective layer 2206. Theflexible substrate 2200 may also include an adhesive layer 2208 forcoupling chixels 202 to the flexible substrate 2200 and one or morefilters 2210, as well as an antireflective layer 2212 (not shown).

The chixels 1600 may be placed light-emitting end down on the substrate208 as shown in FIG. 23 so as to emit light through the flexiblesubstrate 2200. The exposed p 1120 and n 1122 contacts allow the displayto be driven from the rear by a drive system 2402 as shown in FIG. 23 ,thereby avoiding the complications of providing transparent frontelectrodes to the LED subpixels. As discussed above with reference toFIGS. 3A-3B the chixels 1600 are arranged on the substrate 2200 so thatthe resulting chixel gaps 304 provide sufficient bending areas to givethe substrate 2200 a desired amount of flexibility. The drive means mayaddress the subpixels in predetermined pixel groupings.

As shown in FIG. 22 the substrate may be provided with one or morefilters 2210 to manipulate the light emitted from the LED lightemitters. For example, an array of color filters can be printed, sprayedor otherwise provided to the substrate 2200. As seen in FIG. 26 ared-green-blue filter arrangement 2602 having filter portions 2604A,2604B, 2604C of red R, green G and blue B may be added to the substrateassembly 2200 to form a filtered substrate 2702 with filter portions2604 that correspond with the different LED light emitters 1600A, 1600B,1600C of a chixel 1600. The chixel 1600 is coupled to the filteredsubstrate to form a color display 2700 so that the light emitters 1600align with the filtered portions 2604 to form RGB pixels 2702A, 2702B,2702C as shown in FIG. 27 .

As shown in FIG. 24 drive means 2402 may be provided to the chixels toprovide the necessary power and commands to make the light emitters ofthe chixels emit light in a desired manner. The drive means 2402 mayinclude drive electronics as known in the art. In the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 25 , a controller 2502 is provided for eachchixel. The controller 2502 may comprise a data line and a power linethat controls the emission of light from each of the light emitters on aparticular chixel 1600. By providing individual chixels with acontroller 2502, chixel units can be provided which can be premade andready to install in a display.

Other filter arrangements may be provided in lieu of the standard RGBfilter arrangement discussed above, in which each filter covers a singlelight emitter. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS.28-30 edge filters 2804 are arranged horizontally to cover portions ofmore than one light emitter. These edge filters further minimize theeffect of the chixel gaps 304. In addition, the chixels may be sized toinclude edge light emitters in addition to standard three-subpixelmultiples.

Chixel gaps may to be more noticeable when the display 100 is flexedinto a non-flat condition. As shown in FIG. 28 in addition to thestandard lateral RGB filter arrangement of the filter arrangement 2602in FIG. 26 , the filters that correspond to light emitters 1600 at theouter edge of a chixel 2802 referred to as edge emitters 2810 may besized and shaped to cover edge emitters of two adjacent chixels 2802.For example, edge filters 2804 may be provided to bridge the chixel gap304 between adjacent chixels 2802 and cover edge light emitters 2810 oneach chixel 2802. These edge filters 2804 may be oriented horizontallyand may be of a size as to together cover an edge light emitter 2810 onadjacent chixels 2802 in a vertical RGB arrangement. For example, asshown in FIG. 28 a row of 14 light emitters 1600 on a chixel 2802include 12 center light emitters and two edge emitters 2810. The chixel2802 may be arranged on a filtered substrate 2906 having vertical filterportions 2604 and edge filters 2804 so that the center 12 light emitters1600 correspond with a row of 12 vertically oriented red 2604A, green2604B or blue 2604C filters and the two edge light emitters 2810correspond with colored edge filters 2804A-C.

Instead of covering a single light emitter on one chixel, the edgefilter are sized and oriented to cover an edge light emitter 2810 oneach chixel thereby bridging the chixel gap. In addition, the edgefilters may be of a size such that multiple edge filters cover theadjacent light emitters. For example, red, green and blue edge filtersmay be arranged to cover adjacent edge light emitters in a vertical RGBpattern. The same may be done along the upper and lower edges ofadjacent chixels. In addition to having the 12 RGB filters whichcorrespond to 4 RGB pixels, an extra light emitter may be provided ateach edge of the chixel to form a row of 14 light emitters. Thus, whentwo chixels are placed next to one another two edge pixels/lightemitters are adjacent one another. It should be noted that while thesubpixels and filters are generally discussed as corresponding with asingle light emitter, filters may cover multiple light emitters. Forexample, a subpixel of a chixel could include three vertically alignedlight emitters which could be cover by a red filter to define a redsubpixel.

FIG. 31 shows another exemplary filter pattern 3102 that may be used inconjunction with a chixel 2802 in which upper and lower end filters 3104are elongated to filter adjacent upper and lower light emitters 2820across the chixel gap 304 in FIG. 32 . Although each upper edge filter3104 is shown as a single color filter that covers two adjacent lightemitters from adjacent chixels 2802A-B, the filters could be sized sothat each light emitter is covered by a red, green, and blue filter.

FIG. 33 is a front isometric view of a lightweight electronic sign 1000.Electronic sign 1000 consists of a plurality of display modules 1100carried by a mounting frame 1110 which is designed to provide optimumoff-axis viewing. The lightweight electronic sign 1000 may be mountedfrom a ceiling or a wall. In the preferred embodiment, lightweightelectronic sign 1000 is intended for use within a facility such as aconference room, hotel lobby, or the like. The lightweight structure isintegrated into a single unit for easy portability.

FIGS. 34 and 35 illustrate the components of lightweight electronic sign1000. A module display mounting frame 1120 carries a plurality ofdisplay modules 1130. A display mounting support frame 1140 is carriedby a rear surface of display mounting frame 1120. An electronic supportmember 1150 is disposed preferably disposed rearwardly of support frame1140. The display mounting frame, display mounting support frame, andelectronic support frame are carried by an externally positioned outwardframe 1160. In the preferred embodiment, outward frame 1160 consists ofupper and lower horizontal frame members 1162 and 1164, left and rightvertical frame members 1166 and 1168, and respective frame corner pieces1170.

In the preferred embodiment, display mounting frame 1120 is formed byone or more methods including, punching, or laser cutting or combinationthereof with very precise cuts of close tolerance. Mounting frame 1120is preferably manufactured from a single piece of aluminum forming agrid-like structure having a plurality of vertical and horizontaldisplay module mounting surfaces 1122 and 1124 which are offset defininga plurality of display module receptacles 1126. In the preferredembodiment, the precision cutting of the mounting frame 1120 providesfor a singular plane which touches the outer vertical display modulemounting surfaces in both the vertical and horizontal planes. Inessence, the profile of the mounting frame is completely flat. A displaymodule is received within a respective display module. Each displaymodule carries a plurality of optical display sources such as pixeldevices which may consist of LEDs or similar light emitting source whichare presented to the face of the display module for working inconjunction with additional displays for transmitting an overall image.For ease of assembly and operational utilization, magnets 1172 arecarried by display mounting frame 1120 for releaseable attachment withrespective display modules for mounting the display modules with thedisplay mounting frame.

In the preferred embodiment, the manufacturing of the electronic sign isdone in a manner to enable the fast and efficient assembly of requestedsigns. The respective display receiving apertures 1126 are of a uniformsize throughout mounting frame 1120. Assembly preferably includes a kitof distinct display modules of similar shapes but of different densityof pixels. For instance as shown in FIG. 35 display modules 1130 mayconsist of different pixel spacings. For instance, display module 1130may consist of display module 1131 which has an eight millimeter spacingof pixel placements, 1133 which has a six millimeter spacing of pixelplacements or 1135 which has three millimeter spacing of pixels. In thepreferred embodiment, display module 1130 is a square tile preferablytwo hundred and fifty millimeters in both the length and widthdirection. By providing different pixel spacings, different resolutionsof the overall display may be obtained depending on the ultimateintended purpose of the display. Additionally by providing a consistentsize, a plurality of displays may be manufactured via a kit arrangementdepending on the requirements of the end user.

As shown in FIG. 36 , when two display modules 1131 (a) and 1131(b) areintegrated within the display mounting frame, the two display moduleshave a pixel spacing such that the gap 1133 which extends from the lastvertical row of pixels to the edge of the respective display module isone half of the pixel gap. Accordingly, the gap which extends from theedge of the adjacent display module to the first vertical row of pixels1134 in combination with the gap from last vertical row of the adjacentdisplay module is equal to the pixel gap between adjacent pixels on arespective display module. This configuration assists in providing foroff-axis viewing such that no differentiation between display modulesmay be perceived from an ordinary observer viewing the overall displayeddesign. By utilizing a uniform sized display module, the varioushorizontal rows of pixels align when adjacent tiles are positioned inthe display mounting frame. The same pixel gap configuration also existsfor display modules which are adjacent in a vertical orientation.

As shown in FIG. 37 , the display module 1131 has a rear surface whichis utilized for enabling the display module 1131 to be carried bydisplay mounting frame 1120. In the preferred embodiment, the rearsurface carries an attachment frame 1180 for interfacing with displaymounting frame 1120. In the preferred embodiment, attachment frame 1180carries a metallic portion 1171 for magnetically mating with magnets1172 carried by display mounting frame 1120. Multiple configurations ofthis magnetic mating arrangement may be achieved. For instance,attachment frame 1180 may be metallic, or the magnets could bepositioned on the attachment frame with a corresponding set of metallicslugs carried by the display mounting frame. In either circumstance, themagnets provide sufficient support for the display module.

The display module also includes an alignment device 1182. In thepreferred embodiment, alignment device 1182 consists of a plurality ofposts which are matingly received by alignment post receptacles 1184located within display mounting frame 1120. The alignment device 1182 ofeach display module is positioned in the same manner and the alignmentpost receptacles 1184 are located in the same position with respect toeach display module receptacle 1126 such that each display module 1131may be positioned anywhere within the display mount frame. Also, therelationship of the alignment device and the magnetic attachment devicesare such that the display modules are each positioned with respect tothe display attachment frame such that a flat plane is established inboth the horizontal and vertical directions.

Display modules 1131 also include a plurality of connectors 1184 forattaching to various electrical components of the lightweight display.Connectors 1184 are positioned within the profile defined by thealignment device and magnetic attachment devices such that theconnectors will extend into the display receptacles defined withindisplay mounting frame 1120.

FIG. 38 is an exploded view of the lightweight display illustrating therelationships of the various components of the display. Display module1131 is aligned with display mount frame 1120 such that alignment device1182 is received via alignment receptacles 1172 enabling magneticattachment device 1171 to secure the display module with the displaymount frame. The electrical connectors 1184 pervade through the displaymount receptacle 1126.

A display mounting support frame 1140 is positioned rearwardly ofdisplay mount frame 1120. Display mounting support frame 1140 consistsof a plurality of horizontal support beams 1194 and vertical supportbeams 1196. Depending on the ultimate size of the lightweight display,various configurations of horizontal and vertical support beams may beutilized. One embodiment as shown in FIG. 34 consists of four horizontaland four vertical support beams. These beams also define an openreceptacle enabling access to the electrical connectors of the displaymodule.

Electronic support member 1150 is preferably a rigid board which isstructurally sufficient for supporting a plurality of electricaldevices. Such devices preferably include power supplies 1190, anddisplay circuit boards 1192. The electrical devices are interconnectedwith the display modules via wiring, ribbon cable 2004 and the like.Preferably, each display module is connected with a separate displaymodule such that each display module is ultimately connected with adisplay circuit board. In this manner each display module may beprovided electrical control signals. Additionally, by having a systemwherein a plurality of display modules are interconnected, these displaymodules are able to provide a reference to each other enabling the signto ultimately display the desired display. Preferably, wires are tiedtogether and positioned along the support beams to reduce congestion.

In addition to the support beams, spacing beams 2002 are carried bydisplay mounting support frame 1140. In the preferred embodiment,electrical support member 1150 abuts spacing beams 2002 defining arearward enclosure. In the preferred In the preferred embodiment,preferably the entire depth of the display is less than four inches fromthe front of the display to the rear portion of the display. Thiscompact construction is enabled by facilitating the placement of theelectrical components within the periphery defined by the displaymounting support frame and the display mounting frame.

FIGS. 39-41 illustrate the mating relationship of the external framemembers with the additional components of the lightweight display forestablishing a secure, solid and compact display. As shown in FIG. 39 ,upper horizontal frame member 1162 is matingly adapted for receivingcorner piece 1170. Additionally, vertical frame member 1166 is matinglyadapted for receiving corner piece 1170. Preferably both horizontal andvertical frame members are manufactured from extruded aluminum. Theextrusion establishes a corner piece receptacle interior 1171 forreceiving a connecting barb 1173 of corner piece 1170. Both thehorizontal and vertical frame members include corner piece receivinginterior 1171 for receiving the respective connecting barbs 1173 ofcorner piece 1170. Of course the construction may be had where the barbsare contained on the respective frame members and the corner piece has areceptacle for receiving the barbs. Or alternatively the barbs may beconstructed as individual pieces for mating engagement with interiors ofthe extruded frame members and an extruded corner piece. However, in thepreferred embodiment, it is desired that the vertical and horizontalframe members are constructed from extruded frame members which are cutto the desired length. In this manner, the manufacturing process wouldbe best served having the barbs integral with the corner pieces.

The horizontal, vertical and corner pieces are configured for definingreceiving positions for the components of the lightweight display. Inparticular, corner piece 1170 preferably includes a mating receptaclefor electronic support member 1150. In the preferred embodiment, themating receptacle is a groove 2010 with dimensions for providing a snugfit with the upper surface 2020 of electronic support member 1150.Additionally, vertical frame member 1166 includes a mating receptaclefor electronic support member 1150. In the preferred embodiment, themating receptacle is a groove 2011 for providing a snug fit with theside surface 2021 of electronic support member 1150. In this manner, theelectric support member 1150 is securely carried by externallypositioned outward frame 1160. Also, display mounting support frame 1140having a vertical side edge is constructed to fit within displaymounting support frame receptacle 2012 defined along the length ofvertical frame member 1166 for providing a snug supporting fit. cornerpiece 1170 has a similar groove or notch 2013 for receiving an upperportion of the display mounting support frame 1150.

A cross-sectional view of the intricate and snug construction of thepreferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 40 . Extruded vertical framemember 1166 extends from the display modules 1131 rearwardly to theelectronic support member 1150. The extruded vertical frame member 1166carries both the display mounting frame 1120 within display mountingsupport frame receptacle 2012 which is preferably a groove along thelength of the extruded vertical frame member at least as long as thevertical height of display mounting frame 1120. Preferably this grooveis of a width which provides frictional engagement with display mountingframe 1120. Additionally, electronic support member 1150 is alsosimultaneously carried by extruded vertical frame member 1166 via groove2011. Groove 2011 is preferably of a width which provides frictionalengagement with electronic support member 1150.

FIG. 41 illustrates the compact construction of the lightweight displayfrom a side view. In the preferred embodiment, the overall width fromthe front of the extrusion vertical frame member to the rear ispreferably four or less inches. The groove which captures the displaymounting frame is approximately point zero eight inches. As seen in FIG.41 , horizontal frame members 1162 and 1164 include an electronicsupport member groove 2030 and 2032. As with the other grooves, thesegrooves are sized for frictional engagement with the upper and lowersurfaces of electronic support member 1150. Additionally, horizontalframe members 1162 and 1164 include display mounting frame grooves 2034and 2036. Preferably these horizontal frame members have an upper andlower support frame support members 2040 and 2042 for abutting againstthe horizontal frame members of support frame 1140 for a snug fitpreventing upward or downward movement of the support frame. FIG. 41also illustrates the flush planar configuration of the display modules1131 which are mounted on top of each other with their respectivealignment pins received within display mounting frame 1120 and themagnetic attachment of the respective display modules with the displaymounting frame 1120. In the preferred embodiment, a clear screen 2050 isconfigured for extending over the upper and lower profiles of therespective display modules in a “C” cap configuration. Clear screen 2050abuts the horizontal frame members 1162 and 1164.

As can be seen in FIGS. 39-41 a slim and structurally soundconfiguration for a lightweight display may be had according to theinvention. Preferably to provide a compact construction the electronicsupport member is smaller than the display mounting frame, accordinglythe horizontal frame members are curved to affix to each structure.Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, slots are formed within thehorizontal frame structure to provide cooling of the electricalcomponents.

A thin display mounting frame which is precisely cut provides both aflat vertical and horizontal plane for mounting a plurality of videodisplays provides initial support for the display modules. A secondarysupport frame manufactured from extruded aluminum provides lightweightsupport. A third lightweight board supports the electronics necessaryfor running the display. A lightweight extruded peripheral framestructurally holds these three components together. By providing forslots or grooves within the horizontal and vertical frame members, thedisplay mounting frame and electronic support frame are supportedgenerally along the entire length of their periphery. This constructionprovides for a secure assembly. Additional recesses are defined withinthe vertical frame members for abutting against the vertical members ofthe support frame while the horizontal upper and lower frame members ofthe peripheral frame abut against the upper and lower horizontal framemembers of the support structure to provide for structural support alongthe four sides of the support frame.

The preferred embodiment of the invention consists of a kit whichenables mass production of various displays. As noted, each displaymodule has a predetermined size notwithstanding the pixel displacementfor the respective module. The display mounting support frame hasdisplay module receptacles for receiving each display module withalignment holes and magnetic attachment devices located consistentlythroughout the surface area of the display mounting support forconsistently receiving, supporting and aligning the display modules toprovide an arrangement wherein the pixel gap between adjacent pixelsremains constant in both a vertical and horizontal direction within aparticular display module and between adjacent display modules. Themagnetic attachment enables for easy removal of the respective displaymodules enabling access to the electronic components carried by the rearelectronic support frame. In this manner, various configurations oflightweight displays may be manufactured utilizing a kit of displaymodules. Only the height and width of the display mounting frame will bevariable.

To further assist on the manufacturing, the outward frame of thepreferred embodiment consists of a singular design of an extruded framemember. This frame member may be extruded to any length and then cut tosize. By providing for slots within the extrusion for receiving thedisplay mounting support frame and the rear electronic support frame,the slots can be utilized along a vertical height or a horizontallength. With the consistent cross section and positioning of thegrooves, a simple process may be had by providing a singular extrusion.The respective extrusions are connected utilizing a uniform corner piecewhich may be used for all four corners of a rectangular display design.Of course, while a preferred embodiment consists of a singular extrudeddesign, a possible alternative is utilizing a particular extrusionconfiguration for horizontal frame members only and a second extrusionconfiguration for the vertical frame members.

In this manner a kit for assembling would consist of a plurality ofdisplay modules of various pixel densities which would be chosendepending on the desired resolution of the finished lightweight design,at least a singular extrusion for defining an outward frame member whichcould be cut to the desired display size, a plurality of similarconstructed corner pieces, a rear electrical board which can be cut tosize and a plurality of extruded support beams would could be welded toa desired configuration for supporting the desired display. This ease ofmanufacturing provides for a simple construction of a lightweightdisplay with minimum components. In practice only the display mountingsupport frame needs to be customized for the respective size of theultimate display, the remaining components consist of generalconstruction supplies such as the extruded beams which are merely cut tosize.

Accordingly, with this construction, the depth of various displaysmaintain the same while the height and width of the various designs maybe modified. By providing for a constant pixel gap, off-axis viewing isenabled.

In practice the following lightweight constructions were developed:

Screen Size 114 Inches 151 Inches 180 Inches 224 Inches Brightness 1500nits 1500 nits 1500 nits 1500 nits Contrast Ratio 3000; 1 3000; 1 3000;1 3000; 1 Resolution 400 × 240 520 × 280 640 × 360 800 × 440 Weight 90lbs 100 lbs 120 lbs 120 lbs Power less than a coffeemaker Depth 4 inches4 inches 4 inches 4 inches Aspect Ratio 1.67 1.75 1.77 1.82

As shown in FIGS. 42 and 42A the lightweight display may be verticallyhung or mounted utilizing wall mounts which are generally flush with therear of electronic support member 1150. In the preferred embodiment,frontal access to the interior of the display may be achieved byremoving the respective display modules from the display mounting frame.This is enabled by the easily detachable magnetic support mechanismutilized for securing the respective display modules to the displaymounting support frame. In the preferred embodiment, mounting brackets2080 are carried by certain support beams of support frame 1140. In thepreferred embodiment the mounting brackets consist of a plurality ofreceptacles 2082 for receiving bolts. In the preferred embodimentmounting bracket 2080 consists of vertical and horizontal bolt holes foreither receiving a horizontally mounted display or a vertically hungdisplay. To facilitate horizontal mounting, upper beam member of outwardframe 1160 includes a plurality of apertures 2084 aligned with therespective bolt holes of the mounting brackets. In the preferredembodiment certain apertures have been cut into the electronic supportmember. By providing for a common mounting structure, the lightweightdisplay may easily be moved to a separate location and mounted utilizingthe stationary mounting brackets.

FIG. 43 illustrates an alternative to configuration to a rectangularconfiguration. An oval configuration is illustrated consisting of anon-rectangular display mounting support frame 3000, a non-rectangularsupport frame 3100 and an extruded outer frame 3200 having a pluralityof grooves for structurally receiving the display mounting support frame3000 and support frame 3100. This configuration is similar to the priorexamples including alignment holes and magnetic attachment means forreceiving display modules 1131.

Accordingly it may be that an advantage of the invention is a easy tomanufacture lightweight display which provides for off axis viewing.Utilizing a common display module construction with varying pixeldensities, and common extruded frame members both for an internalsupport frame and an external decorative frame, a plurality oflightweight display units may be constructed each having a depth nogreater than 4 inches.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A modular light emitting display systemcomprising: a first light emitting diode (LED) display module configuredto releasably attach to a support frame, the first LED display moduleextending in an x direction and a y direction perpendicular to the xdirection, the first LED display module comprising: a first substrate,and a first plurality of pixels arranged on the first substrate in auniformly spaced matrix of rows and columns including a leftmost columnand a rightmost column, the leftmost column being spaced apart from anadjacent column in the x direction by a first distance, and a second LEDdisplay module configured to releasably attach to the support frame, thesecond LED display module extending in the x direction and the ydirection, the second LED display module comprising: a second substrate,and a second plurality of pixels arranged on the second substrate in auniformly spaced matrix of rows and columns including a leftmost column,wherein, when the first and second LED display modules are attached tothe support frame, the leftmost column of the second LED display moduleis spaced apart from the rightmost column of the first LED displaymodule in the x direction by a second distance equal to the firstdistance.
 2. The modular light emitting display system of claim 1,further comprising a driver IC configured to control one or more pixelof the first and second pluralities of pixels to generate a digitalimage on the modular light emitting display system.
 3. The modular lightemitting display system of claim 2, wherein the generated digital imageis displayed such that the physical seams between the first and secondLED display modules are not visible.
 4. The modular light emittingdisplay system of claim 1, wherein the first LED module comprise a firstedge defining a first perimeter and the second LED module comprise asecond edge defining a second perimeter, and wherein a portion of thefirst edge abuts at least a portion of the second edge when the firstLED display module and the second LED display module are attached to thesupport frame.
 5. The modular light emitting display system of claim 4,wherein the leftmost column and the rightmost column of the firstplurality of pixels are each spaced apart from the first edge by an edgedistance, and the and the leftmost column of the second plurality ofpixels is spaced apart from the second edge by the edge distance, andwherein the edge distance is equal to one-half of the first distance andthe second distance.
 6. The modular light emitting display system ofclaim 1, wherein each pixel of the first plurality of pixels and thesecond plurality of pixels comprise a red LED, a blue LED, and a greenLED arranged colinearly.
 7. The modular light emitting display system ofclaim 1, further comprising a third LED display module configured toreleasably attach to the support frame, the third LED display moduleextending in an x direction and a y direction perpendicular to the xdirection, the third LED display module comprising: a third substrate, athird plurality of pixels arranged on the third substrate in a uniformlyspace matrix of rows and columns including a bottommost row, thebottommost row being spaced apart from an adjacent row in the ydirection by a third distance, wherein, when the third LED displaymodule is attached to the support frame, the bottommost row of the thirdLED display module is spaced apart from a topmost row of the first LEDdisplay module in the y direction by a fourth distance equal to thethird distance, the second distance, and the first distance.
 8. Themodular light emitting display system of claim 1, wherein each pixel ofthe first and second plurality of pixels comprises at least threesubpixels.
 9. The modular light emitting display system of claim 8,wherein each of the at least three subpixels are colinearly arranged.10. The modular light emitting display apparatus according to claim 8,wherein the at least three subpixels in the first plurality of pixelsare spaced apart from one another by a subpixel gap and the at leastthree subpixels in the second plurality of pixels are spaced apart fromone another by the subpixel gap, and wherein the first distance is equalto the subpixel gap and the second distance is equal to the subpixelgap.
 11. A modular light emitting display system comprising: a firstlight emitting diode (LED) display module configured to releasablyattach to a support frame, the first LED display module extending in anx direction and a y direction perpendicular to the x direction, thefirst LED display module comprising: a first substrate, and a firstplurality of pixels arranged on the first substrate in a uniformlyspaced matrix of rows and columns including a bottommost row and atopmost row, the bottommost row being spaced apart from an adjacent rowin the y direction by a first distance, and a second LED display moduleconfigured to releasably attach to the support frame, the second LEDdisplay module extending in the x direction and the y direction, thesecond LED display module comprising: a second substrate, and a secondplurality of pixels arranged on the second substrate in a uniformlyspaced matrix of rows and columns including a bottommost row, wherein,when the first and second LED display modules are attached to thesupport frame, the bottommost row of the second LED display module isspaced apart from the topmost row of the first LED display module in they direction by a second distance equal to the first distance.
 12. Themodular light emitting display system of claim 11, further comprising adriver IC configured to control one or more pixel of the first andsecond pluralities of pixels to generate a digital image on the modularlight emitting display system.
 13. The modular light emitting displaysystem of claim 12, wherein the generated digital image is displayedsuch that the physical seams between the first and second LED displaymodules are not visible.
 14. The modular light emitting display systemof claim 11, wherein the first LED module comprise a first edge defininga first perimeter and the second LED module comprise a second edgedefining a second perimeter, and wherein a portion of the first edgeabuts at least a portion of the second edge when the first LED displaymodule and the second LED display module are attached to the supportframe.
 15. The modular light emitting display system of claim 14,wherein the bottommost row and the topmost row of the first plurality ofpixels are each spaced apart from the first edge by an edge distance,and the and the bottommost row of the second plurality of pixels isspaced apart from the second edge by the edge distance, and wherein theedge distance is equal to one-half of the first distance and the seconddistance.
 16. The modular light emitting display system of claim 11,wherein each pixel of the first plurality of pixels and the secondplurality of pixels comprise a red LED, a blue LED, and a green LEDarranged colinearly.
 17. The modular light emitting display system ofclaim 11, further comprising a third LED display module configured toreleasably attach to the support frame, the third LED display moduleextending in an x direction and a y direction perpendicular to the xdirection, the third LED display module comprising: a third substrate,and a third plurality of pixels arranged on the third substrate in auniformly spaced matrix of rows and columns including a leftmost column,the leftmost column being spaced apart from an adjacent column in the xdirection by a third distance, wherein, when the third LED displaymodule is attached to the support frame, the leftmost column of thethird LED display module is spaced apart from a rightmost column of thefirst LED display module in the x direction by a fourth distance equalto the third distance, the second distance, and the first distance. 18.A modular light emitting display system comprising: a first lightemitting diode (LED) display module configured to releasably attach to asupport frame, the first LED display module extending in an x directionand a y direction perpendicular to the x direction, the first LEDdisplay module comprising: a first substrate, a first plurality ofpixels arranged on the first substrate in a uniformly spaced matrix ofrows and columns including a leftmost column and a rightmost column, theleftmost column being spaced apart from an adjacent column in the xdirection by a first distance, each pixel of the first plurality ofpixels comprising at least three subpixels, wherein the at least threesubpixels in the first plurality of pixels are spaced apart from oneanother by a subpixel gap that is equal to the first distance, and asecond LED display module configured to releasably attach to the supportframe, the second LED display module extending in the x direction andthe y direction, the second LED display module comprising: a secondsubstrate, a second plurality of pixels arranged on the second substratein a uniformly spaced matrix of rows and columns including a leftmostcolumn, each pixel of the second plurality of pixels comprising at leastthree subpixels, wherein the at least three subpixels in the secondplurality of pixels are spaced apart from one another by the subpixelgap that is equal to the second distance, wherein, when the first andsecond LED display modules are attached to the support frame, theleftmost column of the second LED display module is spaced apart fromthe rightmost column of the first LED display module in the x directionby a second distance equal to the first distance.
 19. The modular lightemitting display system of claim 18, further comprising a driver ICconfigured to control one or more pixel of the first and secondpluralities of pixels to generate a digital image on the modular lightemitting display system.
 20. The modular light emitting display systemof claim 19, wherein the generated digital image is displayed such thatthe physical seams between the first and second LED display modules arenot visible.